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The differences between applications development specialists and applications analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an applications development specialist, becoming an applications analyst takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an applications development specialist has an average salary of $99,856, which is higher than the $80,144 average annual salary of an applications analyst.
The top three skills for an applications development specialist include java, application development and C++. The most important skills for an applications analyst are healthcare, customer service, and patients.
| Applications Development Specialist | Applications Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $99,856 | $80,144 |
| Hourly rate | $48.01 | $38.53 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 74,373 | 110,833 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
An applications development specialist focuses on the design and coding of an application or software for a company. The development specialist's job is to determine the most efficient method to develop a program without sacrificing quality. It is also the position's task to ensure that a program is a solution to its needs and other problems identified through feedback from employees. The applications development specialist is also part of the backend team and can work alongside the research and development department when creating new software to be sold to the market.
An applications analyst is an individual hired by a company to administer, monitor, and maintain all its software infrastructure and applications. Applications analysts must ensure the integrity and safety of all data and applications so that the company business can run smoothly and succeed. They are required to collaborate with applications developers and software engineers to provide a diagnosis of application errors and create long- and short-term resolutions. Applications analysts should also provide training and support of staff in using applications.
Applications development specialists and applications analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Applications Development Specialist | Applications Analyst | |
| Average salary | $99,856 | $80,144 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $127,000 | Between $58,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | Jersey City, NJ | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | MUFG EMEA | Ceridian |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Retail |
There are a few differences between an applications development specialist and an applications analyst in terms of educational background:
| Applications Development Specialist | Applications Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between applications development specialists' and applications analysts' demographics:
| Applications Development Specialist | Applications Analyst | |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.2% Female, 27.8% | Male, 55.4% Female, 44.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.6% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 8% |